Steinborn says 5 state agencies failed to respond to questions about nucear storage

A New Mexico state senator is demanding answers from the State’s executive agencies to questions he posed in April, regarding Holtec International's proposal to build an interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel rods near the Eddy-Lea County line.

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Former N.M. Representative and Chair of the Carlsbad Mayor's Nuclear Task Force John Heaton listens to public comment May 3 during a Nuclear Regulatory Commission public scoping meeting held in Carlsbad, N.M. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

An anti-nuclear "activist" turns his back to representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 3 during a scoping meeting on a proposed nuclear storage facility in Eddy and Lea counties. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Several people spoke in opposition to a proposed Holtec facility which would store 500 canisters of spent nuclear fuel rods in a location between Carlsbad and Hobbs. The scoping meeting was held May 3 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Several people spoke in opposition to a proposed Holtec facility which would store 500 canisters of spent nuclear fuel rods in a location between Carlsbad and Hobbs. The scoping meeting was held May 3 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Several people spoke in opposition to a proposed Holtec facility which would store 500 canisters of spent nuclear fuel rods in a location between Carlsbad and Hobbs. The scoping meeting was held May 3 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Eddy County Commissioner James Walterscheid speaks in favor of a proposed spent nuclear fuel rod interim storage facility May 3 which is proposed to be constructed near Carlsbad, N.M. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Karen Hadden, executive director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition speaks in opposition during a scoping meeting hosted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 3 in Carlsbad, N.M. The NRC is considering an application by Holtect to construct a Consolidated Interim Storage Facility to hold spent nuclear fuel rods. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Joy Russell, Vice President of Corporate Business Development for Holtec International speaks to the public about Holtec's commitment to being a steward of the environment May 3, during a scoping meeting held by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Carlsbad, N.M. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

Several people spoke in opposition to a proposed Holtec facility which would store 500 canisters of spent nuclear fuel rods in a location between Carlsbad and Hobbs. The scoping meeting was held May 3 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Jessica Onsurez Current-Argus

“It is critically important that the residents of New Mexico get substantive information needed to make an informed decision about whether to allow this highly controversial project to go forward, but Gov. Martinez refuses to provide information,” Steinborn wrote in a Tuesday statement.

“The lack of response from this administration to even the most basic questions raise the troubling prospect that they have not done any analysis on the potential negative impact of bringing the country’s highest level nuclear waste into New Mexico.”

He called on the governor to demand her cabinet secretaries and corresponding agencies respond.

"This wall of silence is irresponsible and inexcusable. I call on the governor to direct her government agencies to immediately address the questions raised before the comment period ends,” he said. “Our citizens deserve no less.”

Questions were directed at the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), and Cabinet Secretary Tom Church, the New Mexico Department of Environment (NMED) and Secretary Butch Tongate.

There were also questions for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and Secretary Ken McQueen, the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department and Secretary M. Jay Mitchell, along with the Department of Military Affairs and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Nava.

All state agencies contacted by the Current-Argus directed staff to NMED and Tongate.

Tongate did respond to Steinborn’s original inquiry on April 16 by deferring the questions to the NRC.

“As the permitting agency for the proposed Holtec facility, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is responsible for conducting the environmental review for the project,” Tongate wrote.

“The New Mexico Environment Department and other state agencies potentially affected by the proposed project will review the EIS and provide comments to the NRC as appropriate.”

NMED spokesperson Katy Diffendorfer said it was not clear which, if any, state executive agency would provide oversight once the NRC’s EIS is completed.

She said the process of developing the EIS could take until 2020.

“As Secretary Tongate’s response to Senator Steinborn indicates, the NRC will conduct detailed safety, security, and environmental reviews on the Holtec application which should answer the questions posed by Sen. Steinborn,” Diffendorfer said.

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New Mexico State Lawmakers attend a meeting about nuclear waste, and a proposed interim storage facility for spent nuclear fuel, May 18, 2018 at the Roundhouse.(Photo11: Adrian Hedden | Current-Argus)

“Once NRC has completed the environmental review, the Environmental Impact Statement will be posted for public comment. At this point in the application review, it is not clear whether any executive agency of the state will have permitting or oversight authority for the proposed Holtec facility or its operations.

“The Senator’s questions should be directed to the NRC – the agency overseeing the process.”

McQueen said EMNRD did receive the questions, but did not answer due the agency’s “lack of jurisdiction.”

He said EMNRD’s oversight for nuclear activity is limited strictly to managing the transportation of low-level transuranic (TRU) waste into the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) about 25 miles east of Carlsbad.

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Ken McQueen, New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources secretary, will be the speaker for the New Mexico Business Coalition’s Energy BASH event on Thursday at the Courtyard by Marriott in Farmington.(Photo11: Daily Times file photo)

“We have the questions. I think it’s a matter of jurisdiction,” McQueen said. “EMNRD’s jurisdiction is strictly limited to transporting waste to WIPP. I don’t think we’re the right agency to respond.”

The NRC held six public scoping meetings to discuss the licensing process, and to gather public input, over the last several months.

In total, the review process was expected to cost about $7.5 million, records show.

"It's really demonstrating the commitment of Holtec and the Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance to move forward with this facility," said Joy Russell, Vice President of Corporate Business Development and Communications at Holtec, of the application.

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The meeting was designed to allow public comment on a proposed Consolidated Interim Storage Facility by Holtec International.
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Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.